LINK Reader Jul/Aug 2022

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Table of contents

04 06

Disparity in local students’ achievement must be addressed with urgency

BY MICHAEL A. MONKS

‘Peeling back the onion’ on the importance of early childhood education

BY HALEY PARNELL

letter from the editor

Disparity in local students’ achievement must be addressed with urgency

T

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MICHAEL A. MONKS, CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER

he average composite ACT score in Kentucky in 2021 was 18 on a 36-point scale. At Covington’s Holmes High School in 2021, the average score was 14.9. At Beechwood, in Ft. Mitchell, it was 22.1. The schools are five miles from each other.

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As college becomes less one-size-fits-all, the trades bring opportunity for many

BY KENTON HORNBECK

The average score at Newport High School was 16.2. At Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, it was 22.2. The schools are three miles from one another.

14

‘It takes a village’: How schools are removing barriers so kids can learn

Other ACT averages at Northern Kentucky’s urban high schools: Bellevue 19.1; Lloyd High (Erlanger/Elsmere), 17.3; Dayton, 17.1; Ludlow, 16.

17 20

BY MEGHAN GOTH What is the state of higher education in Northern Kentucky?

BY MARK PAYNE Tension amid critical race theory conversation making an already difficult profession even harder: ‘Oh, there’s fear’

BY KAITLIN GEBBY

23 26

We asked our readers: Where did your child go to school, and do you think they received a quality education?

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Just one certainty as we look ahead to another high school football season here . . .

BEECHWOOD

NKY breweries with great atmosphere

BY MARIA HEHMAN

The ACT is a standardized test used to gauge the aptitude of students and their prospects to achieve in college.

A need to address the disparity in achievement between Northern Kentucky’s urban school districts and the ones nearby in more affluent parts of town is obvious.

But the way in which we as a region plan to do so is not so evident.

The way our urban education is currently delivered in Northern Kentucky is similar to the way in which we deliver other functions of government: piecemealed and independent. Just as we see numerous independent cities with their own police and fire departments all lumped together in a tiny piece of the state, so too do we have nine independent school districts serving urban and inner-ring suburban students.

On the education front, however, these services do not come with equal results.

If you wanted to knock on each of the doors of the boards

BY DAN WEBER

No other part of the state has as many school districts as Northern Kentucky. In addition to our nine independent districts mentioned previously, we have three county school systems and the Walton-Verona independent district in southern Boone Co. Northern Kentucky – its very name betraying its “one voice” posturing since it’s not a place, but instead a direction on a map – is where you can’t swing a cat without hitting a mayor, a city administrator, a police chief, a taxing district, or a superintendent.

There will be time to explore municipalities, police and fire departments and how our services are costly and also overlap. But today, we focus on those nine independent school districts serving the urban and inner-ring suburban student population: Covington, Newport, Fort Thomas, Beechwood, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow, Erlanger/Elsmere, and Southgate.

The combined enrollment of those districts is 15,665.

Covington Independent Public Schools is the largest with about 4,100 students, while Southgate Independent Schools is the smallest with barely more than 200. The total population of the cities served by these nine districts, even conceding that in some cases these districts do not serve the entire city proper and that Erlanger/Elsmere serves two cities, is about 127,000.

Let’s look northward for a moment: Our neighbor, the City of Cincinnati, is served by Cincinnati Public Schools. The city has a population of just over 300,000 while the school district’s student population is roughly 36,000.

That district has one superintendent who is paid $260,000 annually.

As usual, we had too much content to fit into this print edition.

Scan here for more great stories.

The combined salary of our nine superintendents, per the Kentucky Department of Education? $1,475,348.

John G. Carlisle School in Covington

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of education at Covington, Newport, Fort Thomas, Bellevue, Dayton, Erlanger/Elsmere, Beechwood and Southgate independent school districts, you could do so in one relatively quick drive around town.

We pay more than five times the salary for less than half the student population in districts that serve less than half the population of Cincinnati. And that’s just for superintendents whose salaries range from the high end of Beechwood ($234,000) and Dayton ($187,000) to the low end of Southgate ($103,000) and Erlanger/Elsmere ($130,000).

There are often assistant superintendents and other ad-

ministrators in these districts commanding competitive salaries as well.

When state test results and other government metrics or ACT scores are released, we have some real points of pride in Fort Thomas and Beechwood independents. They consistently rank among the top five best districts in the entire state.

But for the most part, the others are not succeeding in that respect or are not improving quickly enough to show substantial change on critical metrics. Each has its bright spots – and, goodness knows, these administrators and educators are skilled, qualified and tenacious. The challenges facing many of our urban schools’ students are beyond what we should expect to be addressed in a classroom. Schools are not designed to be social services agencies but are often forced to perform as one.

Identifying the deficiencies in our delivery of education and our local social safety net would undoubtedly uncover overlap. Proper leaders, in all facets of government and civic life, would then be willing to take actionable steps to fix them. Part of that fix very well may be consolidating our educational institutions so that more of our tax dollars are put toward educating children rather than offering career advancement for administrators.

As community members, government leaders, and educators, we could work to ensure that every child in this region is given a proper chance to succeed, regardless of whether

that child is born on the east or west side of the Licking River, or south of I-275, or in a subsidized apartment downtown, or in a spacious old manor on Dixie Highway.

Each of these districts is governed by a board of education that assesses a property tax. A population of 127,000 in these cities is represented by 40 elected members of boards of education. Decreasing that number alone could allow for stronger campaigns every two years, forcing would-be board members to be more prepared for this gargantuan Covington Board of Education building in Covington task of turning around our educational delivery systems.

Obviously, district administrators and elected officials should be prepared for good faith exploration of a regional A solutions-focused approach to remedying the challeng- solution. es faced by our students and increasing our collective community effort to close the local achievement gap is ur- Other government entities, like cities and counties, and gently needed, with good-faith participation from all com- civic organizations and social services agencies have their munity members and stakeholders. important place in this effort, too.

Who should be at the table?

In this effort, there is a role for LINK nky to play as local journalists who have intensely covered the good and the notso-good in our school districts for more than a decade. Our work on this front has been honored multiple times by the Cincinnati chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The students, for whom this effort must be centered, are critical participants.

And then there is you. How would you want to participate in this effort?

Isn’t it time we started talking seriously about this?

JULY/AUGUST 2022 5

‘Peeling back the onion’ on the importance of early childhood education

A

lot goes into ensuring your children receive the best education possible, especially when you’re a single parent at 21 with a 3-yearold and a 5-year-old. Even after working fulltime at an urgent care and putting herself through school to get her bachelor’s in social work, Tori Furguson calls herself a “PTA mom” because she likes to stay involved with her children’s schools.

Her son, Cooper, is 3 years old and attends Highland Height’s Learning Center Monday through Friday while Furguson works.

She said the childcare center considers what the parents want for their children.

BY HALEY PARNELL, LINK nky REPORTER tremendously,” Furguson said.

Her daughter, Emma, attends kindergarten at Campbell Ridge Elementary School, where Furguson also attended. She was able to volunteer for a field trip, classroom party, and field day, the last day of school celebration, while Emma was in kindergarten.

Furguson said she thinks it is realistic right now for her to volunteer at Emma’s school, but as she gets older and goes on more field trips and the classroom needs more volun-

need. At Learning Grove, parents pay tuition, but those that fall below (typically) 160% the federal poverty guidelines can receive CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program), which is essentially a childcare voucher that gives them a discount on their weekly amount.

Childcare providers are not obligated to report what they are charging to the state. Exact numbers for childcare costs in Northern Kentucky are not something the state can calculate based on confidential information from families.

According to the division of childcare based on CCAP numbers in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton “When you walk into the Counties, a licensed fadaycare, they have ‘what cility’s (public center not we’re going to do today,’ run from the home) maxand then once you pick imum payment for an inyour child up, they have fant/toddler for full-day ‘what we did today’ so that care is $47. So, the state the parents are always will pay the family $47, kept in the loop,” Furguand the center will deduct son said. that amount from the cost of enrollment. The She also gets a paper sent amount changes based home that shows when on the child’s age and if and what their child ate it is for the whole day or for breakfast, lunch, and a A child in the Head Start program at NKCAC part of the day. Full-day A child in the Head Start program at NKsnack and what time they playing with a book. Photo courtesy of NKCAC CAC playing. Photo courtesy of NKCAC preschool-aged children took their nap. receive a $43 reimburseteers, she doesn’t see herself being able to ment, while school-age full-day children “While I’m working, I can still be in the loop request off work as much. receive only $37. of how Cooper’s day went at daycare, if he didn’t eat, if he has a good day or a bad day, “I’ve been to Emma’s school three times in Furguson said she qualified for daycare that kind of thing. So, they’re very involved, the school year, and I think that’s very do- assistance because she is a single mother, and that’s what us as parents want,” Furgu- able,” Furguson said. “Once she gets into and it took her weekly cost down from $213 son said. first, second, third grades, and so on, I feel a week to $55 a week. like it will be more unrealistic because The daycare creates a schedule for the child they’re older, they’re going to be capable of “I had to budget. I actually had to get a betthat they follow at the center throughout doing more. And then I wouldn’t be able to ter job because I wasn’t making enough to the week, which Furguson follows on the be as involved because I am a single moth- pay my bills in a timely manner,” Furguson weekends to keep Cooper’s daily routine. er, and bills do have to be paid.” said.

Cooper was recently diagnosed with autism, and keeping him on a schedule helps Childcare Affordability The federal poverty guideline is the dollar him from becoming overstimulated.

One aspect of childcare that parents can amount set by the U.S. government to indifeel in their pockets is the cost. cate the least amount of income a person “He gets frustrated because he can’t get out or family needs to meet their basic needs. what he wants to say, that kind of thing. So, There are options in the region to help Incomes are set every year by the Departfollowing that schedule definitely helps ensure your kids receive everything they ment of Health and Human Services. Ac6 JULY/AUGUST 2022

cording to aspe.hhs.gov or The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, two people in one household with an income of $17,420 is below the federal poverty guidelines. You could look at that as a single parent with one child in the household. Compare that to a family of four, where $26,500 is below the federal poverty guidelines.

Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission (NKCAC) is another program in the region that works exclusively with families that fall within the poverty guidelines. It has 11 different locations around the area, including classrooms rooted in five local school districts: Campbell County, Kenton County, Pendleton County, Newport, and Dayton schools.

“It’s not just you send your child to school, and that’s it. It’s the whole entire family and then working with the whole entire agency. All the services and grants can be pulled in from other departments to support all families,” NKCAC Vice President for Children’s Services Laurie Wolsing said.

The NKCAC centers have to be licensed by the Division of Child Care through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and follow the office of Head Start’s guidelines. To meet the standards of their licensing, NKCAC must do things that public preschools do not, like have their children take naps and get unannounced inspections from the Division of Child Care.

Wolsing said they have a classroom in Newport Primary with a public preschool room across the hall, and the NKCAC room has to be licensed by the Division of Child Care, and the public preschool room does not.

Outside of the Learning Grove center on Madison Avenue in Covington. Photo by Haley Parnell

If the family can’t afford to take their child for an exam, NKCAC will help find funds to support them.

“This needs to be addressed as part of school readiness, and that’s our goal, to prepare the children for the kindergarten setting or the school readiness setting,” Wolsing said.

NKCAC also works directly with parents to get them involved in their child’s program.

Parents that have children in an NKCAC program attend parent meetings to help plan center events. A parent also gets voted to be on the Policy Council, which is a requirement for NKCAC to have a council made up of parents and community members to review policy, budget, hiring, and firing.

Early childcare and child development are not just about the education aspect itself, but also the needs of a child that must be taken care of outside of the classroom to ensure success inside the classroom.

“The hope is that they’ll go on to the school or the city and join some type of committee and take a lead role in the community, so we try to prepare them for that here at Head Start,” Wolsing said.

“Their brains are just developing at that age, and then to get them into a good high-quality setting that provides the medical, dental, the family, and education pieces are really important for their continued growth,” Wolsing said.

Wolsing said our region could improve on creating training that can be provided to childcare centers, Head Start, and school districts all in one. She said she would like to see everyone on one page with things like grants and not have everything separate for different programs.

The Head Start program, which has children 3 to 5 years old, ensures that children have their hearing, dental, and vision exams and up-to-date physicals and immunizations. The program has a health coordinator to assist families with the process.

Concrete vs. underlying skills Neuroscience has shown that 90% of a child’s brain is developed and formed by the age of 5. Windows of opportunity are Continues on page 8

JULY/AUGUST 2022 7

Continued from page 7

of time they’ll be playing outside? How do they handle children that might have some challenging behaviors? Do they see that as behavior issues or somewhat typical development? How much time is spent between transitions with different caregivers?

uniquely open before age 5 that slowly close. It doesn’t mean the child will never learn specific skills, but it will be more challenging. Underlying skills like curiosity, persistence, attentiveness, drive to learn, and self-control becomes more of an influence during this time than concrete skills like letter sounds and memorization of numbers.

Considering the crucial time frame before age 5, let’s look at other preschool-aged children as an example. Shannon Starkey-Taylor the CEO at Learning Grove, a Northern Kentucky-based company specializing in learning experiences for children and families referenced a Learning Grove presentation by Dale C. Farran, who did a study on public preschool programs in Tennessee.

“What she (Farran) found out is that the way that we do preschool is really backward and children, especially 4-year-olds, still need play-based learning, and we’ve taken preschool and made it pre-K,” Starkey-Taylor said. “Because of state teacher testing and requirements, we keep moving that down to third grade, second grade, and first grade. Kindergarten teachers would

Some of her children have IEP (Individualized Education Program) needs and finding out how her childcare program handles those needs were essential.

Outside of the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission center on 9th Street in Newport.

Photo by Haley Parnell

not say this, but they’re feeling pressure even to have children read by the end of kindergarten, and that’s not what we want.”

In Farren’s study, she referenced underlying skills as “below the iceberg skills” and concrete skills as “above the iceberg skills.”

She said tangible skills are inefficient for long term success for children. The “below the iceberg skills” supported learning throughout the child’s time in school.

“I can easily teach my kids how to count to 10 or 20, count change, count dollar bills, that kind of thing,” Furguson said. “Coming

from someone who works 10-hour shifts at urgent care, sometimes I don’t have enough time to sit down and tell my kids this is how to act, or this is how you’re supposed to do this kind of thing. Teachers are there to help teach the kids what we can’t teach them because we don’t have enough time to teach them.”

Starkey-Taylor said at Learning Grove they steer away from things like school readiness which focuses more on concrete skills and less on underlying skills.

“What we’ve lost is what’s developmentally appropriate for that age group,” Starkey-Taylor said.

What questions should you be asking?

Starkey-Taylor understands early childhood education from the parent perspective and a business standpoint. She is a mother of four. She adopted all four of her children, aged 4, 5, 6, and 7, and applies the advice she gives to parents to her own children’s education.

“I think peeling back the onion and spending time looking at the program and observing the program is really, really important,” Starkey-Taylor said. “Don’t just look at a five-star rating; the state of Kentucky has a school rating system, and that’s a great start. But ask more questions is what I would encourage.”

Questions that Starkey-Taylor encourages parents to keep in mind when looking into childcare programs are: Is there less didactic teacher-led instruction and more child-led instruction? How is the environment respecting children? Is the environment representative of a diverse group of children? Are materials broken, and is there a scarcity of them, or is there enough for children to learn? What is the amount

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“How do they provide for children that are on IEP? Public school is required to do certain things, but how do they interact with my child, not just, you know, check off the box that they will get speech and language services,” Starkey-Taylor said. “So really pull back the curtain.”

Furguson asked the childcare center that her son attends for more progress reports after he was diagnosed with autism.

“I was like, ‘can I keep a closer eye, I haven’t really been seeing anything on social media or getting sent fun things home that he’s been doing,’” Furguson said. “And, literally, as soon as I said that they got right on the ball.”

Examining the investment in early childhood education, Starkey-Taylor said it’s not so much a regional issue as a national issue.

She said that Northern Kentucky has a lot of good foundational elements like the collaboration between programs at Learning Grove, the YMCA, Brighton Center, and the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission. The state has a quality rating system for childcare programs, and Kentucky has a Governor’s office for early childhood.

“I think where we go a little south is that sometimes our funding might go to public schools for preschool, and families need full-day, full-year childcare,” Starkey-Taylor said. “So, if there’s not that solution, where do parents go?”

She said thinking about the whole family when making policy decisions is key.

“It’s definitely not the easiest, but it’s the most rewarding,” Furguson said. “So, it’s hard but then again, I know that it’s all going to be for a good reason.”

JULY/AUGUST 2022 9

As college becomes less one-size-fits-all, the trades bring opportunity for many

R

yan Hernandez always loved working with his hands. When he was a teenager, he began helping his father fix up cars in their garage.

When Hernandez was a student at Campbell County High School, he began weighing his career options as his senior year drew closer. Hernandez was unsure a traditional four-year college education was the right career path for him straight out of high school.

Hernandez told LINK nky he was wary of accumulating student loan debt, and was excited for the opportunity to earn wages after he graduated. That’s when he translated his love for working with his hands into pursuing trade education though the Campbell County Area & Technology Center.

“I started getting into being an electrician in high school,” Hernandez said. “A few

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KENTON HORNBECK, LINK nky REPORTER people I knew were electricians. That was the start of my journey from there. I knew I’d be able to work somewhere and have an opportunity to get paid while I was working.”

of 10 high school grads who go to four-year public universities haven’t earned degrees within six years. The number is more than one in five for students attending four-year private colleges.

ing with his hands growing up. Stull felt he could earn more money right out of high school if he became an electrician. Now 23-years old, Stull is an electrician for United Electric in Cincinnati.

The 22-year old Hernandez is now an electrician working for M&M Service in Covington. He’s pursuing his journeyman’s license and master electrician license.

Increases in college tuition prices have been seen as a deterrent for prospective students. College tuition prices have risen 169 percent from 1980 to 2020, according to a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education & the Workforce.

In Covington, there are open jobs for skilled laborers as the city looks to continue reviving historic buildings within their urban core. There are 94 jobs each year supported by permit activity in Covington’s local and national register historic districts, according to a labor analysis done by consultant Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics.

Statistically speaking, earning a college diploma is the most surefire way to improve employment and earning potential throughout a person’s lifetime. According to the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities, people with a bachelor’s degree annually earn $32,000 more than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma.

However, attending college is not a onesize-fits-all proposition. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, three out

The report cites structural economic changes to the US economy, increasing postsecondary education costs, racial and class inequality, and a disconnect from K-12 education and work as some of the factors young people today are finding greater difficulty transitioning toward economic independence in their adult lives.

Austin Stull, a former student at Pendleton County High School, personally thought pursuing a career as an electrician would be a financially responsible decision for him and his family.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to go into debt,” Stull said. “There’s also not always a guaranteed job after you’re done getting the degree.”

Similar to Hernandez, Stull enjoyed work-

To fill these roles, city leaders in Covington are supporting the development of a Heritage Trades Academy. The Academy will teach students heritage trades, such as masonry, carpentry, plastering and blacksmithing.

“These are as much workforce development issues as they are business development, but in reality you can’t separate the two,” Covington economic director Tom West said. “The more talented and skilled the local workforce, the more vibrant and sustainable the local economy.”

When Interstate 75 was constructed through Kenton and Boone counties, a laborer working on that project was paid

Construction workers on the job fixing the turret at the Hotel Covington expansion on Madison Ave. in Covington.

10 JULY/AUGUST 2022

enough to own a home and support a family of four with a single income.

Over the years, the appeal of trade professions has diminished in the eyes of younger generations. The U.S. is facing a widening age gap for skilled labor trades such as plumbers and electricians. In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that nearly 40 percent of skilled laborers are 45 years old or older. In contrast, only 22 percent of skilled laborers are 25 to 34 years old.

“A substantially bigger percentage of people in the trades are age 55 plus,” said Vicki Berling, director of professional development at the Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky. “A substantially smaller number are even in that middle age range, age 30 to 45.”

Some local businesses say they have been hard-pressed to find young workers willing to go into the trades. DuPont Plumbing, a family owned plumbing business in Newport, emphasizes recruiting young people into their business, while recognizing the overall challenges of recruitment.

“Any trade, in almost any industry, is ex-

tremely pressed to find young workers,” said John Caim, a consultant and general manager at DuPont Plumbing. “It’s very difficult. We’ve gone through maybe a generation of telling everyone that the only path for career success is through traditional academic corridors.”

Caim said DuPont actually expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many workers found the monotony of their office jobs unfulfilling, quitting their old career to pursue a new career in plumbing.

Employers and trade educators say one reason for the skilled trade shortage has been the institutional push by K through 12 school districts, and universities, for students to attend college and pursue earning a degree. Students can incur thousands of dollars in student loan debt in pursuit of a degree.

According to educationdata.org, the average public university student borrows $30,030 in order to earn a bachelor’s degree.

“We were indiscriminate about the message,” Berling said. “We didn’t let students know there were other options for great careers if that’s the path they want to pick.

Covington firefighter Corey Deye (R) talks to Holmes High School carpentry students.

Everyone went off to college, which meant nobody was really entering the trades at the same percentage as it happened two decades ago. Now we have people who would like to retire doing the work, but they can’t because there’s no one coming behind them.”

Caim attributes a negative societal stigma to the labels blue and white collar for discouraging students to pursue trade ca-

reers. Blue collar is generally known as a working class person who works in manual labor, such as a plumber or welder, while white collar is referred to as a person who works in a professional, administrative or managerial job, such as a lawyer or doctor.

“In the manufacturing age of education it was: Go to school, get a lot of education, find a job, work for a big company. Things Continues on page 13

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Continued from page 11

will be happy ever after,” Caim said. “As opposed to, at that time, going out and working in the trades. You don’t want to work in a factory. You want to work up in the office.

We started that differentiation of blue collar, white collar and no collar. People started saying, ‘well you don’t want to be blue collar, you want to be white collar.’”

Northern Kentucky business leaders, government officials, and educational institutions have begun to grapple with the shortage of trade laborers among the youth of the region. Now, there has been a concerted and renewed effort to reverse the trend.

Private institutions such as the Enzweiler Building Institute have continued to devote more resources into trade education.

Berling works with the EBI, a local trade school based in Erlanger. The EBI has been teaching Northern Kentuckians trade skills since 1967, when they first offered a carpentry training program. The school expanded in later years, and now offers comprehensive programs for seven trades and a four-year program for electricians.

Today, the program boasts approximately

2,000 graduates who have gone on to work in trades.

sistant principal at Holmes High School and is the Director of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at the school. Hartman said approximately 85 percent of the students at Holmes are enrolled in the CTE program.

EBI is expanding into Covington in 2022, and will open a Covington Campus at the site of the former Burlington store in the Latonia Plaza shopping center.

“The end game for us is that when a student walks across the stage for graduation, we want them to have the opportunity to go to college, a technical school, or go into a trade,” Hartman said. “We want our students to have those options.”

EBI says their primary goals of their expansion into Covington is to target chronic unemployment by educating the workforce on trade jobs, improving residents’ access to skills training, and helping the construction industry fill a critical need for skilled workers.

Education leaders at Holmes want students to get true, hands-on experience in the classroom so they can apply it to their future careers.

Berling said addressing the representation gap among women and students of color in skilled labor trades is also a focus of the EBI. “If you look at the representation within the skilled trades from students of color and women, it’s a very small percentage,” Berling said. “They’re not relying on a pathway that is common to them. We’re still looking at incentives to get those two groups in particular into the trades.”

Holmes offers pathways in a variety of clusters such as health sciences, information technology, construction technology, manufacturing technology, business and marketing and media arts. Underneath those clusters are courses offered for trades such as carpentry and welding. Hartman said carpentry is one of the most popular trade classes at Holmes.

According to Contractor Magazine, women represent 10 percent of the workers in skilled trades, despite comprising nearing half of the national workforce, and black people represent 6.3 percent of all construction workers.

Holmes works hand-in-hand with Gateway Community and Technical College and local industry leaders in order to tweak their CTE offerings to better suit the needs of regional employers. Holmes, in coordination with Gateway, offers dual-credit courses so students can earn credits for their technical education earlier in their high school career. This eases the financial burden and shortens the timeline for students.

K through 12 institutions, such as the Covington Independent School District, are also placing a spotlight on career and technical education.

David Hartman is an as-

“We try to stay ahead of the curve in regards to industry needs,” Hartman said.

“Manufacturing is a need. Healthcare is a need. We want to prepare all our students to enter their career fields with the proper education, so they can seamlessly transition into the workforce.”

A member of the Ovation construction crew welding a beam.

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Austin Stull working as an electrician at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

As the Northern Kentucky economy expands, so too must their workforce. Leaders in all sectors, from employers to educational institutions, are diversifying educational opportunities for all students, not just the ones who are preparing to enter university.

“I had a mother tell me that a student had his best year academically as a senior because there wasn’t really a place for him, and our program helped him see that he could really be a shining star too,” Berling said. “We can help students find something that does make them excited about the prospect of working. I don’t have to have too many stories like that to make me happy to come into work everyday.”

15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio Strong academic and athletic programs 98% graduation rate All students receive a free breakfast, lunch, and after-school meal Free Before & After School 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs for Grades K-6 (SHINE Program) and 7-9 (SOAR Program) Juniors & Seniors free enrollment in the Early College Program!

Free college credit!

On average, 70% of students graduate LHS with college credits All students receive their own laptop for use Upcoming $30 million campus renovation

ACCEPTING OPEN ENROLLMENT STUDENTS IN K-12 JULY/AUGUST 2022 13

‘It takes a village’: How schools are removing barriers so kids can learn

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BY MEGHAN GOTH, LINKnky MANAGING EDITOR | PHOTOS BY ABIGAIL SHOYAT, LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

avid Childs experienced homelessness as a young adult. He remembers always being hungry.

“Many times my brothers and sisters and I went to school hungry,” he said. “Honestly, what we liked most about school was lunch.”

Childs said his entire childhood revolved around getting something to eat.

“I’ve always been good at school,” Childs said. “But if I’m hungry, school is not going to be effective for me.”

As public education finds itself under more of a microscope than ever – with debate over critical race theory; how schools are funded; how that money should be spent; and who gets to decide curriculum – Childs, who is now a professor of social studies, history and Black studies at Northern Kentucky University, said the idea that education and social services should be separated is unequivocally wrong.

“A lot of individuals idealize the past,” Childs said. “There is this hearkening back to the good ol’ days, but it’s mythical. There never were good ol’ days. It’s a myth.”

In terms of education, when it first became a priority to educate all children regardless of socioeconomic status (though that didn’t include most children of color or girls), memorization and reasoning skills were prioritized, he said. Students had to sit still and repeat whatever their teacher, who stood at the front of the classroom, told them to.

But now, Childs said, schools are realizing that there are a lot of things students need in schools that they haven’t been providing. More resources are being dedicated to things like a child’s health, cleanliness,

whether they have a place to live, their dental health, their mental health, and more.

“It’s difficult for a student to learn if they’re hungry,” Childs said. “What we do in the U.S is we say it’s the parents’ fault. And they blame the students’ challenges on the parents. But in public schools it’s our responsibility to educate the students no matter what socioeconomic background they come from. But we like to blame the parents. Why should we put that responsibility on a kindergartner?”

A lot of these challenges with things like a Continues on page 16

Shelley Werner, speaks about Families in Transition.

14 JULY/AUGUST 2022

Melanie Dowdy speaks about the ways Erlanger/Elsmere School District helps keep kids healthy.

JULY/AUGUST 2022 15

Continued from page 14

need for social services and mental health services exist throughout our country, Childs said.

demolished. The family purchased a new trailer, but they didn’t have anything to do with the old one, and just getting it towed would have cost $6,000.

“We understand better now that students need dental services,” Childs said. “Students need social/emotional learning training, and all kinds of things we didn’t get at first.

But we understand now and we are being more progressive about it.”

“It was infested with roaches and they had an opportunity to get a new trailer, but only once the first one was taken care of,” Werner said. “We worked with a construction company to demo it so they could bring their new trailer in.”

Families in Transition is one of the ways the Erlanger/Elsmere School District has found to address these needs. The schoolbased organization provides assistance to children experiencing homelessness, and works in conjunction with the district’s health coordinator to address whatever presents itself as a barrier to a child’s education.

Whether they are dealing with a student who has moved so many times they have given up on trying to keep up in school or a family that has been living in a hotel and they aren’t sure if they’ll be able to continue to stay there, Werner said they will always find a way.

Each year, the district identifies about 325 students experiencing homelessness, said Shelley Werner, district coordinator for Families in Transition. That is about 13 percent of the school’s population, which she said is consistent with most of the districts in the region.

One of the rooms where students in the Erlanger/Elsmere School District can go if they aren’t feeling well or need medical attention.

The McKinney-Vinto National Center for Homeless Education defines homeless children and youth as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.”

“The most important thing is to identify students who need our services,” Werner said.

“We remove barriers for immediate enrollment, like if you lack a birth certificate or

proof of residency. We look at transportation so you can get to and from school.”

“If there is a need, we will find a way to help them,” Werner said.

This allows a student to receive origin rights, which lets them continue to attend their school for up to a year even if their parents move out of the district.

Melanie Dowdy, Erlanger/Elsmere’s District Health Services coordinator, echoes that sentiment.

“Oftentimes students experiencing homelessness move seven to eight times per year,” Werner said. “You can imagine what a toll that would take on students when they have to change schools and teachers and friends.”

The services that Families in Transition provides depends on what a student needs in order to remove the barriers for education, she said.

How Do You Judge A Judge?

Experience Matters • Judge Cetrulo had an active trial practice for 31 years trying more than 50 jury trials • Previously the staff attorney for Court of Appeals for seven years • Placed more than 350 children in their “forever families” through her adoption practice

Reputation Matters • Endorsed by nearly 400 attorneys across the 13 county district, including County Attorneys, Commonwealth Attorneys and Retired Judges • Named Most Distinguished Attorney by the Northern Kentucky Bar Association in 2021 and serves her community in numerous volunteer capacities, through church, schools and nonprofit organizations

Independence Matters • Committed to upholding the Constitution and defending the rule of law as established by your legislators • In a non-partisan election, Democrats, Republicans and Independent all support Judge Cetrulo because of her temperament and integrity

Judge Susanne Cetrulo on November 8th 16 JULY/AUGUST 2022

That can consist of: • Transportation to school or medical appointments • Food insecurities – The schools have a food pantry on campus and serve breakfast and lunch to any child who needs it throughout the summer – whether they are a student in the district or not • School supplies • Clothing items • Mental and physical health services • They even have a dental center The organization has helped families with buying things for holidays; with getting missing documents they don’t have, like a birth certificate; they help high school seniors fill out documents to get college loans; they have even helped get a family’s trailer

“You can’t educate a child who is in pain or who is not healthy,” Dowdy said. “We are here to remove any barriers for that child to be in school.”

If a student has been sick and needs nebulizer breathing treatments every four hours, for instance, Dowdy said the school can accommodate that.

“A lot of times parents don’t realize what we can accommodate at school,” she said.

A dentist office is set up at Lloyd High School in an old classroom, where students can get their teeth cleaned, receive X-rays, and even get basic extractions taken care of.

The district does vision and hearing screenings, basic first aid, and medication administration.

“If there is a barrier that we can recognize and remove, that’s what we are here to do,” Dowdy said. “It does take a village.”

To ignore the fact that a student is hungry or whose tooth hurts or who has untreated anxiety lacks empathy, Childs said.

“Who are we to say, ‘That’s not my problem.

I’m a math teacher,’” he said. “To ignore the problem and say schools aren’t educating anymore is completely missing the ballgame.”

What is the state of higher education in Northern Kentucky?

BY MARK PAYNE, LINK nky GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS REPORTER

W

hen Dr. James Votruba arrived as president of Northern Kentucky University in 1997, his “Vision, Values, and Voices” campaign sought to raise the Highland Heights campus’ profile and standards.

His 15-year tenure saw the transformation of the campus’ physical presence with the addition of new buildings and dormitories, tighter academic expectations, and a transition to NCAA Division I athletics. In the decade since his retirement, NKU has sought to continue to build on its improved reputation and responsibility to the regional community.

But the university and Northern Kentucky have changed since the days of Votruba and his vision. So what is the state of higher education in NKY now, and how are all the major universities in Northern Kentucky adapting to the region in the 21st century?

Northern Kentucky University campus. Photos courtesy of NKU.

Raising education attainment levels in the region will continue to affect the quality of

life, said Matt Cecil, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at NKU, and in general.

“The idea that higher education is tasked with dealing and helping individuals sort of be their most and have that social mobility, but in so doing, also has a huge impact on the region,” Cecil said.

Healthcare and life sciences, which includes biology, medicine, anthropology, and ecology, are two industries that are making a significant splash in the region, as both have received funding to grow. All three universities in Northern Kentucky – NKU, Thomas More, and Gateway Community and Technical College – are all working to prepare students to enter careers in these fields. As of 2021, there are 3,502 students enrolled in programs in the NKU College of Arts and Sciences. There are 5,020 enrolled in the College of Health and Human Services.

Continues on page 19

JULY/AUGUST 2022 17

MICHELLE

KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT

Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller justicemichellekeller michelle@kellerforkentucky.com www.kellerforkentucky.com The photo below was taken at my Investiture on the Kentucky Supreme Court.

My husband, Jim, and our daughters, Brenna and Olivia, are seen robing me to take the Bench. It was one of the proudest days my family and I have shared.

Serving for over 15 years on the Bench, including over 9 years as a Supreme Court Justice, has been my greatest professional honor and privilege. I am also proud to be a lifelong Northern Kentuckian. Please allow me to continue serving our wonderful community as your Justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court!

• • • • • •

Former VA nurse Former prosecutor Recognized for work as a Child Advocate Chair of the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission Kentucky Bar Association 2020 Judge of the Year A judge and public servant, not a politician

Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller justicemichellekeller michelle@kellerforkentucky.com www.kellerforkentucky.com

Paid for by the Committee to Keep Justice Michelle M. Keller, Terry R. Riesenberg, Treasurer 18 JULY/AUGUST 2022

Continued from page 17

The Kentucky General Assembly allocated $15 million for a 10,000-square-foot life sciences lab in Covington during the 2022 legislative session. Gravity Diagnostics, Bexion Pharmaceuticals, and Clinical Trial and Consulting Services all call Covington home.

“We want to, as usual, play whatever role is needed to help support that lab and to provide workforce,” Cecil said.

Thomas More University is also looking to the future as the region puts a demand on careers in the sciences. TMU President Dr. Joseph L. Chillo said that the private catholic university overseen by the Diocese of Covington, which has just around 2,100 students, is working on developing programs in the life sciences. Thomas More recently introduced Lighting the Way, the university’s new five-year strategic plan.

“We’re looking at a program in life science, a bachelor’s degree in life science, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering science because we’re seeing how significant these new careers are,” Chillio said. “And certainly here, what we’re looking at in Northern Kentucky, those programs are taking off significantly, and we see a need and an opportunity to fill those with talented individuals.”

Farther south, along I-75, Gateway Community and Technical College is also looking at preparing students for careers in the life sciences. The two-year college produces students for the workforce with associate degree programs and sends them to four-year schools such as NKU and Thomas More. When Gateway launched in 2001, it gave Northern Kentucky its first com-

Northern Kentucky University campus. Photos courtesy of NKU.

munity college, and allowed students who didn’t meet higher education standards to get additional education.

“We’ve added now this cluster around biomedical science because of the businesses that had been developing in Northern Kentucky around that sector,” said Gateway President Dr. Fernando Figueroa.

Figueroa said they’ve thought long and hard about developing curriculum and building competencies and assessing those competencies in students so they are prepared for these industries that keep the region thriving.

But, life sciences isn’t the only industry that’s thriving. Healthcare is also another critical area, with several major hospitals

– Christ Hospital, St. Elizabeth, and Cincinnati Children’s – expanding in the region.

“Our students are going into careers and certainly within majors that are having a major impact in terms of the economic growth and development here in Northern Kentucky,” Chillo said.

“We’ve been looking carefully at how we leverage our nursing program, which we’re expanding now,” Figueroa said. “Because we received some gifts that have helped us do that, but we’ve done it in a way that will create a sustainable model for the growth going forward.”

St. Elizabeth opened a $130 million dollar Cancer Center. Along with the center, they invested in a Simulation Center at the College of Health and Human Services at NKU that will help prepare students for careers in healthcare.

Surrounding the industries of nursing and life sciences, the region is also seeing substantial growth in business, consumer product goods, and related industries like logistics.

“Healthcare is big, obviously,” Cecil said.

“We have a huge need for nurses.”

“We’re seeing growth across our business programs,” Cecil said. “And we’re particularly interested to see if we can make some inroads in things like logistics.”

Gateway is expanding its nursing program to address the region’s needs.

JULY/AUGUST 2022 19

Tension amid critical race theory conversation making an already difficult profession even harder: ‘Oh, there’s fear’

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BY KAITLIN GEBBY, LINK nky BOONE COUNTY REPORTER | PHOTOS BY ABIGAIL SHOYAT, LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

entucky joined a national conversation this year about how history should be taught when it passed Senate Bill 1, which targets critical race theory and changes how educational materials are approved.

The bill transferred power to superintendents to make decisions on curriculum, textbooks, and school principal hires, and it was later amended to include aspects of Senate Bill 138, which addressed critical race theory and are now in Section 2 of SB1.

Sen. John Schickel (R-Union) sponsored Senate Bill 1, and Sen. Max Wise (R-Campbellsville) sponsored Senate Bill 138.

In an op-ed submitted by Schickel to LINK nky, he said the bill “does not restrict curriculum or teachings in the classroom,” but gives local school boards “the final say on these important matters.”

Section 2 of the law lists lessons the legislature would like to keep out of the classroom, using language that echoes other states’ laws that directly target critical race theory and its tenets. Education leaders, like Education Commissioner Jason Glass, argue that critical race theory is not part of Kentucky’s standards and that the documents the bill seeks to add to the curriculum are already being taught in public schools.

What this law and others like it have done instead is raise the tension in education, a profession that has been hit hard by the pandemic and demands for change.

20 JULY/AUGUST 2022

“Oh, there’s fear. A lot of teachers are starting to feel like they can’t do their job,” said David Childs, a professor of education and history at Northern Kentucky University.

“And that’s really unfortunate in the climate of one of the greatest teacher shortages in history.”

to keep it out of classrooms, and experts say its definition has been lost in translation. Critical race theory is now a buzzword used by those who oppose teachings of diversity, equity and inclusion that they feel define white people as oppressors who are inherently racist, Childs said.

the “1619 Project,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning work from The New York Times that explores America’s construction and history from the perspective of its enslaved people.

Trump called such curriculum “divisive, anti-American propaganda” that is “teaching people to hate our country.”

The U.S. Department of Education recognized Boone County Schools among 26 Northern Kentucky school districts suffering from staff shortages. A report identified early childhood, math, science, special education and student psychology services as particular shortage areas in the region.

When SB1 was passed, Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed it, saying it was a “step backward” for Kentucky schools. The General Assembly then overruled Beshear’s veto.

Though the theory is not a fixture in K-12 education, Republicans targeted it in the 2021 legislative session with bills regulating what they perceived to be “divisive concepts.” Laws were later passed in states like Texas and Tennessee. They have been introduced in at least 36 states, and more than a dozen states have passed the bills into law.

But the most recent anti-critical race theory movement didn’t originate in state capitols. After a police officer killed George Floyd in 2020, the video of In 2019, scholars his murder sparked from the University nationwide protests of Tennessee and the and a global racial University of Iowa David Childs, a professor of education and history reckoning; organizasummarize critical at Northern Kentucky University. tions responded with race theory, often referred to as CRT, as an public statements and training sessions to academic lens that examines the relation- confront systemic racism. That movement ship between the social construction of extended to the White House, and sparked race, culture and legal systems. It originat- a memo and Executive Order from former ed in the 1970s, and scholars note it came President Donald Trump that barred federabout when Civil Rights legislation failed to al agencies from using it. eliminate the societal oppression of Black Americans and people of color in the U.S. His order restricted anti-racism training, saying it stems from critical race theory.

The concept has most recently taken cen- Trump suggested a similar move be made ter stage in a wave of legislation that aims in K-12 education. He also took shots at

Language in the bills reflected that of the White House memo and Executive Order.

“All agencies are directed to begin to identify all contracts or other agency spending related to any training on ‘critical race theory,’ ‘white privilege,’ or any other training or propaganda effort that teaches or suggests either (1) that the United States is an inherently racist or evil country or (2) that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist or evil,” the memo states.

Tennessee’s law states 14 concepts that cannot be taught, including “an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously,” or “this state or the United States is fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist.”

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track, though it takes a softer approach, stating that the law does not restrict the use of instructional materials focused on oppressed groups in history or discussions of “controversial aspects of history.”

However, the legislation itself has become a sensitive topic among education leaders.

LINK nky reached out to several superintendents in the Northern Kentucky region, and David Childs, a professor of education and history at Northern Kentucky those who did respond University. voiced discomfort about A Texas law passed in 2021 on the topic speaking on the topic at all. is similarly worded. It specifically names the “1619 Project” and restricts public in- That feeling extends to future educators, stitutions from requiring anti-racism or too. Childs is often on the receiving end anti-sexism training. That law also names of students now worried about going into 10 banned concepts from classrooms, like teaching. that “an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, “A lot of them are apprehensive about goor oppressive, whether consciously or un- ing into the field, and I find myself trying to consciously.” reassure them over and over that it’s gonna be alright, we’re gonna get through this, but Kentucky’s Senate Bill 1 follows the same there’s a lot of apprehension about the job,”

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Childs said. “It’s already a tough job, you know?”

Boone County Schools is the fourth-largest school district in the Commonwealth, and Superintendent Matthew Turner said he’s unsure of how much the law will alter lessons. Boone County Schools is one of 171 Kentucky school districts re-examining its curriculum and materials this summer following SB1.

Turner said “most if not all” of the speeches and documents listed in Section 2 of the bill are woven into the junior- and senior-level history curriculum already being taught.

Turner said Boone County Schools has been on the receiving end of parent questions and concerns about whether critical race theory or its concepts were being taught in any of its 26 schools.

Earlier this year, Education Commissioner Jason Glass said critical race theory is typically taught and discussed in graduate-level courses and is not a developmentally appropriate concept for elementary and middle school-aged students.

This past year, Tennessee took its law one step further, extending it to higher edu-

cation. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) said it doesn’t ban teaching these concepts, but professors “can’t have mandatory training and can’t incentivize teachings around these concepts.”

If Kentucky follows suit, Childs says, it may affect him and his colleagues directly.

“If that particular legislation passes, they can do widespread damage,” Childs said.

“It’s a gag order of sorts. People can’t talk about diversity and inclusion … We can’t talk about sexism and racism and all of the other ‘isms’ over fear of retaliation.”

Childs says the solution is patience and strong messaging from groups who “understand diversity and inclusion benefit everyone, not just people of color.”

“These folks who are trying to get this legislation passed, trying to ban these trainings, are on the wrong side of history,” he said.

“We just need to be patient.”

For now, Childs said he will continue to speak on this topic to his students and his community to become part of the solution and to encourage the next generation of teachers.

We asked our readers: Where did your child go to school, and do you think they received a quality education?

Michele Geoghegan I have two boys, who completed all their schooling in Boone County at the following schools: Collins Erpenbeck RA Jones Ockerman MS Cooper HS I believe they both received an excellent education, but they had parents that were highly involved in their education. They both went on to complete degrees in chemical engineering and computer engineering.

Ashley & Richard McFarland

Nikki Owen All three of my girls went through Grant’s Lick Elementary School. I have no doubt with the family atmosphere, parental involvement, wonderful leadership, and great staff from the principal and teachers down to the custodial staff, it cannot be beat. Our twelve years there between the three girls undoubtedly make a huge impact on who they are as young adults today. I contribute all their current successes today to the great education and mentors they received at GLE. They are still close with all of the teachers they had, who continue to encourage them in life and career!

Kelly S Where in Northern Kentucky did your child go to school?

Thornwilde And do you think they received a good education? Yes Randy Poe Education is great in Northern Kentucky with excellent elementary, middle and high schools. Dual credit, AP, early college and youth scholar programs are more wide spread in NKy that any were in Ky. Our post-secondary colleges and universities are great partners with our K-12 community.

My child goes to Yealey Elementary in Boone County, Kentucky. We live in Florence, Kentucky.

They receive an excellent education in Boone County & we are proud to send our child to Yealey.

Pic is attached of my son with the entire 3rd grade team at Yealey that helped him through the pandemic in some of the best ways.

Mirna Eads My son went to and graduated from Highlands high school and I feel he received an excellent education.

My four children received a great education from Boone County Schools. All four graduated through elementary, middle and High Schools in Boone County. All went onto Post-secondary and one graduated from NKU and the other 3 graduated from UK. Two of them hold master’s degree with one more currently working on his master’s.

grew by leaps and bounds! His first grade teacher, Mrs. Hager (now Mrs. Meyer) was instrumental in giving him the skills and confidence he needed to excel through the rest of his elementary education. My middle child started in a private kindergarten (Goddard) because he needed to start school when he was 4. We did the early entry testing required by Boone County and my son fell a few points short. But after a year at Goddard (which we also loved!) he started 1st grade at Erpenbeck - also with Mrs. Meyer. My youngest followed her brothers to Erpenbeck a couple of years later for kindergarten. They all three excelled in academics as well as socially. We left Erpenbeck to travel full time for a year. When we returned (in 2020) we moved to a house that had the two youngest going to Mann Elementary and my oldest to Gray Middle.

We did that on purpose to avoid sending them to Ockerman (as Summit is not a program I believe my children would achieve success using). Mann - while academically

wonderful, seems so military like. But, we need Gray Middle, so we are sticking it out with Mann (although I’m not at all happy about it). Gray Middle has been great. I do feel like my now eighth-grader(!) lacked a lot of instruction on how to be a middle schooler due to Covid and the uncertainty of the 2020-2021 school year. But I believe we’ve all navigated through that as best as we can and I now think that Gray is exactly what he needs and he’s been getting great instruction since starting in person again.

I’m excited for all my children to continue in Boone County schools!

Amanda Giordano I am a proud mom of 3 children. My oldest graduated from Scott High School in 2021. My middle child attended Woodland Middle School and is now a sophomore at Scott High School. My youngest attended Whites Tower Elementary and is now an eighth-grader at Woodland Middle School.

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Katharine Moore My oldest child (now 13) started school at Ludlow Elementary. I loved his teacher, but it was very apparent, when we moved to Boone County, that he did not receive the best kindergarten education at Ludlow.

We moved to Boone County, and he started 1st grade at Erpenbeck Elementary. I loved EES! He excelled there! He received after school tutoring in reading and math and JULY/AUGUST 2022 23

Continued from page 23

Before entering Kenton County Schools, I homeschooled my children. I can honestly say that sending my children to public school was a hard decision, but I have no regrets. I believe that successful parenting involves having a tribe to help. I have been very blessed to have found that in all the schools my children have attended. I have met teachers that go above and beyond to make sure my children are thriving in and out of the classroom. My children’s schools have been given a bad reputation. It’s not warranted. These schools are made up of remarkable staff and astounding families. I want to share a story with you about Woodland Middle School.

During the winter of 2019, my middle daughter, Lexi, became very sick. It would be over a year filled with many doctor visits, numerous tests, and lots of worry until we learned that she had Crohn’s disease. It was a whirlwind after her diagnosis. Not only were we dealing with the realization of my daughter having a chronic disease, but we were in a pandemic. Very quickly her teachers rallied around her to give her support. The list of teachers Lexi knew she could go to when she needed help was long.

I felt good about sending her to school because I knew she was loved and safe. Within a few short months it was recommended that she have a NG tube placed in preparation for a resection surgery. Of course, being in middle school having a NG tube was hard to swallow. Would she be made fun of?

How would the logistics of the tube/feeding work while she was at school? None of those worries were necessary. The nurse was helpful, and the students showed great empathy and compassion. We were scared about surgery. During that time our Woodland community came out to back us up. Her friends and some fellow students organized a fundraiser. These students worked independently to put on a mini version of Hamilton the Musical. For weeks they memorized lyrics and choreographed dances. It was a great distraction for what was to come.

The night of the performance is one I will never forget. A little over 100 people showed up and filled the yard to support Lexi. Some of those people included Lexi’s principal and her teachers. Knowing a community, our community, was there gave us the encouragement we needed to face the road ahead. My heart was with 24 JULY/AUGUST 2022

filled with joy. Many teachers had their students send e-cards to Lexi while she was in the hospital. We were overwhelmed by the love we felt from the school. Following the surgery, Lexi had some other health complications. Every time a new hospitalization came up everyone at Woodland rallied around her. On the last day of the eighth grade we both cried. Woodland had become a sweet protective place for me and Lexi. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the staff at Woodland Middle School. I can honestly say they are the most genuine and giving people I know. Lexi still visits Woodland from time to time. She has created relationships with these teachers that will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Kenton County Schools employs top-notch teachers for sure. My oldest has done well in college due to the education she received in high school. My younger two children are thriving in school. What is most important to me is that they employ people with compassion as well. These teachers genuinely care about the whole person in their classroom. It shows in my children every day.

Thank you for reading my story.

Beth Silvers

Where in Northern Kentucky did your child go to school? Longbranch Elementary And do you think they received a good education? Yes. Our daughter just completed fifth grade, and we’re very happy with the mix of academic skills, extracurricular

interests, and citizenship attributes that she’ll carry into middle school. The school’s leadership and some exceptionally dedicated teachers have created an environment that supports students well and that has adapted admirably to the past few challenging years.

Wendy Meyers

I am currently an active member of NDA’s Parent Advisory Counsel and thought I would take a moment to respond to your request. My daughter Julia is currently enrolled in Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills, KY. Our family resides in Wilder, KY in the Sentinel development, which is a quick trip to NDA’s campus. Since 2020, we could NOT be more THRILLED with our decision. Not originally being from Northern Kentucky, my husband and I did not have a tie (history) to any local high schools, therefore we visited several different Catholic and public facilities to make this decision. After attending NDAs Open House, Julia knew this would be the school for her.

Attending an all-female school allows Julia to stay focused, without distraction. She is challenged by the curriculum taking both honors and AP courses while also playing basketball. Julia (soon to be Junior) currently plays JV, and Varsity Basketball, she is an NDA Ambassador, a member of Uganda Pandas, was nominated for the National Honor Society for Spanish and will be attending the Notre Dame Leadership Summit in June. NDA provides opportunities for all girls and all interests, the curriculum is diverse to fit all needs & interests, while being supported by faculty and staff. I have watched my daughter thrive academically and make friends I know she will have for a lifetime.

JULY/AUGUST 2022 25

NKY breweries with great atmosphere

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BY MARIA HEHMAN, LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR | PHOTOS BY MEGHAN GOTH, LINK nky MANAGING EDITOR

here is nothing quite as relaxing or refreshing as having an ice-cold beer on a hot day.

If you couldn’t figure out from their name, Bircus is a circus brewery combo. Not only do they serve you some great original beers, but they also give you a show while you’re there. They have a huge variety of circus entertainment from juggling, trapeze walking, fire dancing, and acts that I didn’t even know existed that you just have to see to believe.

With the days getting hotter and longer, there is no reason not to indulge with a beer to celebrate the weekend, or even just at the end of a long day. These breweries not only boast what I think is some of the best tasting beer but also some of the best atmospheres out there.

Braxton Brewery: 27 W 7th St., Covington There’s no doubt that if you’re from NKY, you have not only heard of Braxton and their many tasty beers, but you’ve probably been to one of their NKY locations. Their original Covington location is the best spot to go if you’re looking to really socialize – every time I go I run into half of my high school class, every former co-worker I’ve ever worked with and essentially all of Northern Kentucky.

This is the summer spot for many of us – for good reason. You know what you’re getting with Braxton each time you visit: Great drinks and atmosphere. With ample indoor seating, you can always sit inside if the rooftop or outside is crowded and hot.

There’s also the Fort Mitchell location with a nice size patio if you’re looking for a more serene atmosphere.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, be-

cause it would be a disservice not to shout it from their rooftop: Scooter is the best summer beer you will ever have.

Yes, they have seltzers that are crisp, and yes, they have new slushies that are dangerously delicious, but Scooter is THE summer beer. It’s citrus and hops and so exuberantly refreshing that I need every person to know that they are missing out if they don’t order one. It is everything you want in a summer drink and more. I create all of my summer plans around this beverage because if it’s not there, neither am I. Thankfully, they do sell them in cans and growlers so be sure to stock up on this because once you try it you’ll crave it on every sunny day.

Bircus Brewery: 322 Elm St., Ludlow

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Bircus in Ludlow is unlike any brewery I’ve ever been to; it’s one of the most unique and fun places to go this summer.

Bircus also has live music, comedy shows and so much more. I’ve been several times to witness both the music and the circus acts and have loved both each time. It’s a great spot if you just want to sit back and drink a beer or two. If you’re looking to have more of a conversation with your company, you can always sit on the side patio, which is perfect on a summer day.

A second location in Covington just opened, and with 12 draft options, I’ve opted for the Ludlight every time.

It’s a light lager so it doesn’t feel super heavy after drinking, like many craft beers can. This is a great option so you can really sit awhile and enjoy the show.

Wooden Cask Brewery: 629 York St., Newport In case you needed to know, I was at the original opening of Wooden Cask when they very first tapped their kegs and opened to the public in 2015, I loved it then and seven years later, love it now. Wooden Cask’s original location opened in Newport on York Street, but they just opened a second Newport location at the Levee. Both locations have plenty of seating and few TV’s.

I love that whatever game is on it doesn’t distract you from your company. Although, like any brewery on a summer night, they can get crowded, this is one of the best places for conversation or a card game with friends. This is a place I could sit for hours catching up and not notice how much time has passed. I’m excited to go to their Levee location this summer for that same comfortable atmosphere with a gorgeous view.

Although they have a very impressive cocktail menu and frozen alcoholic slushies at

just need a cocktail, and they have some of the best. Their mules are all made with their own ginger beer and all beyond refreshing on a hot day.

Many of ABC’s mules are also paired with New Riff alcohols, so you’re getting Kentucky-made alcohol AND ginger beer. Like many breweries, they often have bands, but if you’re looking for something more active they have an entire back room full of arcade-like games to keep you entertained.

I’ve already mentioned my love of their house-made mules, and their other wines and cocktails are worth a try, but we’re all here for the beer.

their Levee location, their heart and soul is beer. I have a hard time choosing the best summer beer here. The Blackberry Sangria Sour is tart, fruity and crisp while Girl Next Door will feature a more traditional beer flavor but still is such a refreshing Blonde Ale. As a blonde myself I felt it was an obligation to order this beer as the name felt like a direct dig, but I was so impressed with it that it has become my staple beer there.

Kentucky may be most well-known to the world for its bourbon, but NKY natives know that beer is just as much a part of our culture and lifestyle as bourbon. Summer days are best ended with friends and a cold beer.

Whether you frequent the ones on this list, others not mentioned, or you grab a six pack of Scooter to enjoy at home, these breweries and their beers are staples in our lives. They are there for major events: graduations, weddings, and even the more mundane parts of life, like a day on the lake or a backyard barbeque.

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My default at breweries is almost always their Blonde Ale and ABC’s All in American Blonde Ale is one of the best: refreshing, crisp and just downright tasty. If you’re looking for something with a fruitier kick, their Cider, Rainbow Seeker, is a perfect summer option. They have one of the wider varieties of drink options of all the breweries, which makes it a perfect spot to check out this summer.

ABC is a really fun place to go with a group of friends to just hang out and catch up. Although they can draw a crowd, they never seem to be too loud, which makes it a perfect option to try out this summer.

Alexandria Brewing Company: 7926 Alexandria Pike #1, Alexandria

Darkness Brewing: 224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue

Alexandria Brewing Company, also known as ABC, offers a wide variety of both beverages and entertainment.

This Bellevue-based brewery is a must stop this summer. They have an ample front patio that is just the best spot to sit and people watch on a warm summer night.

Although they are most known for their quality craft beer, what has brought me back each time is their mule menu. As much as I love a craft beer, sometimes you

an ale and is deliciously drinkable in the summer months. For someone who usually doesn’t like super dark or hoppy beers, I was so pleasantly surprised when I had this drink that it wasn’t too hoppy or tart – it had all the right notes. I love going here on a summer night to just unwind and hang out.

So, if you’re looking for a place to host your next event, or just want to pick up a new beer to drink by the pool, check out these breweries to sit back, sip and watch the summer sun set.

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Just one certainty as we look ahead to another high school football season here . . . BEECHWOOD

BY DAN WEBER, LINK nky SPORTS EDITOR-AT-LARGE | PHOTOS BY BRIAN FREY

T

he next thing up on our sports calendar hereabouts is the 2022 high school football season. The third weekend in August will be on us before we know it.

And all we have right now are questions, plenty of questions. Not a lot of answers.

Our first question: Will any Northern Kentucky team join Beechwood and give itself a chance to play on the final day of the season the first weekend in December at UK’s Kroger Field?

Anyone? Covington Catholic? Highlands?

Newport Central Catholic? Any of the schools with multiple state championships?

Or the long-ago established state titlists who have been losing out to demographics – Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow?

Or even the inner-city urban programs at Holmes and Newport?

Last year, in the first playoff-round games when Northern Kentucky teams faced downstate opponents, only Beechwood survived. The other four teams – NewCath, CovCath, Scott, and Ryle – fell. And fell hard by a combined 138-46 score.

So we ask again: Anyone? Will anyone step up?

Or will this be the year that sleeping giants like Dixie Heights, Campbell County, Scott, Simon Kenton get their act together?

Beechwood Before Everyone Sure, the Tigers have it going – 15-0 with a second-straight state title (No. 16 for the Ft. Mitchell school) a year ago. But gone is quarterback Cameron Hergott, fifth-year Mr. Football, who took advantage of Kentucky as the lone state in America allowing an extra season because of Covid-19 and led the Tigers to another title. What about this fall?

How about the little guys with the more recent programs – Bishop Brossart, Walton-Verona, Holy Cross?

Well, there are plenty of candidates to succeed Hergott as Beechwood’s leader starting with a pair of multi-sports stars. Mitch-

How about one of the big Boone County schools – Ryle, Cooper, Conner, even Boone County?

Beechwood celebrates victory over Walton-Verona in playoffs en route to state championship

28 JULY/AUGUST 2022

ell Berger, the 205-pound two-way running back/linebacker, and 230-pound linebacker/offensive lineman Xavier Campbell will lead on both sides of the ball. All told there are a dozen returning starters (five on offense, seven on defense) for 16-year head coach Noel Rash with another seven listed as “key returnees.” But maybe just as important are the Tigers’ 10 veteran assistant coaches who keep the program going on so many levels.

As for quarterback, looks like sophomore Clay Hayden, a strong-armed 6-foot, 181-pound athlete who played some as a freshman behind Hergott, has a great deal of promise. The Tigers look like they’re in pretty good shape when it comes to Class 2 A. “If,” Rash says, his talented athletes develop “the mental toughness” and “TEAM attitude” . . . “WE MUST EMBRACE THE GRIND.” *** Walton-Verona made the playoffs from District 5 with a nifty 9-4 mark before running into Beechwood and a 50-6 shellacking. The Bearcats of Coach Jeff Barth lose 15 seniors off their 51-man roster.

The other three 2A schools in District 4 – Lloyd Memorial (3-7), Holy Cross (4-8), and Newport (4-8) – all had their moments but it was pretty much tough sledding much of the way for these three. And now we know that Newport High has lost its stadium to safety concerns and will play a road schedule for 2022. *** Lloyd returns 10 starters (seven on offense, eight on defense) and should be led by senior running back Kaiden Zulager, “coming off a great season and looks to pick right back up where he left off,” says Coach Kyle Niederman. On defense, the Juggs will be led by junior lineman Thomas Plymesser, who will make life difficult for opposing offenses, Niederman says. His team “will be a mix of young and veteran players” with the key being how much they “continue to grow on and off the field.” *** With 10 of its 28-man roster seniors, Holy Cross will have a serious challenge getting the numbers up for Coach Bruce Kozerski. But not as serious as that of the challenge for Newport’s Brian Weinrich, where 11 of the 27-man Wildcat roster were seniors.

Newport Central Catholic moves the ball in a 2021 game

tween the two Kenton County neighbors only to have Scott come back for a 35-8 playoff win two weeks later, to act as if we have an idea where these programs might be any single day this fall, much less an entire season, would be foolhardy.

Eric Turner’s 8-5 Scott team certainly has the roster edge here, with just eight seniors on the Eagles’ 66-man roster. Meanwhile, Coach Benjamin Nevels’ 47-man Bulldogs roster had a dozen seniors on an 8-3 team.

But not just any dozen. Senior twins Quantez and Tayquan Calloway have moved on and with them most of the Holmes offense.

They will not be easily replaced.

Class 5A at a Glance *** In addition to whichever class Beechwood is in, it’s Class 5A featuring all-time Top 10 national winningest program Highlands, a 23-time state champion, and eighttime state champ Covington Catholic, where it would seem Northern Kentucky’s bounce-back season ought to come from.

Scott moves the ball to escape Holmes in 2021

Class A at a Glance *** Playoff prospects in Class A start with Newport Central Catholic, whose Thoroughbreds made it to the postseason in 2021 with a 9-4 season. From that team, the Breds return 15 starters – eight on offense, seven on defense. Luke Runyon is the man, says Coach Stephen Lickert. He “can score from anywhere on the field . . . He’s our most explosive player and never leaves the field.” On defense, it’s C.J. Gavin, Lickert says. He’s “a relentless pass rusher and run stopper. He will give offensive linemen fits.”

As for his team’s chances, Lickert pulls no punches: NewCath will be: “fast, athletic, tough and really hard to beat.”

Behind five-time state champ NewCath, Dayton’s Greendevils and Ludlow’s Panthers are upbeat about bounce-back seasons this fall.

“We will be young after graduating 21 seniors over the past two seasons. We will be competitive in our district and have already set the goal to compete for the district championship,” says Dayton Coach Jesse Herbst.

“We return a ton of experience and have great team chemistry,” says Ludlow Coach Greg Taphouse of his Panthers, who finished 3-8 last fall. “We return our entire line and have a good core of juniors and seniors.”

*** Dayton welcomes back seven starters – six on offense, four on defense – from a 5-7 team. Quarterback Russell McIntyre, after a strong offseason, should lead the offense.

Junior defensive back/outside linebacker Caleb Crutchfield is expected to lead on that side of the ball.

*** Start with a CovCath team that finished 9-4, beat the Bluebirds twice (8-7 and 38-8) last fall and despite the loss of 25 seniors, still returns the majority of its 79-man ros-

ter. That includes 10 starters – five on offense, five on defense. Coach Eddie Eviston says his Colonels “will be young but led by a few three-year starters who can help the inexperienced players get to a high-level standard that we strive for in our program.”

On offense, Eviston would not single out anyone, just that it’s “the quarterback position in general – due to injury and other factors, the position was played by ‘committee’ last season and we hope to find a more consistent approach this season as our offensive productivity starts with the QB.” On defense, it’s 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker Aiden Jones who has committed to play football at West Point after graduation. He’s “a three-year returning starter who plays aggressive and has had a great offseason,” Eviston said. *** Like CovCath, the Bluebirds have a ton of players back, losing just 16 seniors on their 80-man roster. Finishing 5-6 with four single-score losses, second-year coach Robert Sphire’s team lost six of their last eight in the veteran Georgia high school coach’s debut season. With a dozen starters returning (seven on offense, five on defense), Sphire says one player to watch on offense Continues on page 30

*** Ludlow returns nine starters – eight on offense, nine on defense – with Jaxson Rice and Danny Richardson the offensive leaders and Ethan Powell and Tommy King the defensive leaders for the Panthers. *** At the opposite end of the record scales in Class A is Bishop Brossart, whose 12-1 season in District 5 ended in the playoffs at Raceland in a 48-7 loss. Of the Mustangs’ 39-man roster, only 11 were seniors. *** Meanwhile, for Bellevue’s 1-10 Tigers, who struggled to have enough players on their 28-man roster in District 4 against the rest of the small Northern Kentucky schools, 12 of those Bellevue players were seniors.

Class 4A at a Glance *** With no Class 3A teams in Northern Kentucky, we move on to the two-team Class 4A District populated by Holmes and Scott. And just as we had few answers during the season from these two a year ago, when Holmes won 40-0 in the second-last game in the regular season beJULY/AUGUST 2022 29

Continued from page 29

is Carson Class, who “has had a tremendous offseason and put on quality muscle weight. He’ll be able to play multiple receiver positions as well as rotate defensively.”

On defense, look for Sam Robinson: “Phenomenal football IQ,” Sphire says, “one of the best athletes in the program and has gotten himself physically ready for a difficult schedule.” As for what his team will do this fall, Sphire says simply: “Respect each of our opponents.” *** Cooper and Conner balance out the three-county district. Randy Borchers begins his 15th season on Longbranch Road with a dozen starters (seven on defense, five on offense) from a 7-4 team (2-2 in the district) that allowed just 12 points a game.

Junior middle linebacker Jack Lonaker and his 142 tackles lead the way with sophomore D-lineman Austin Alexander set to shine again. On offense, it’s between junior Cole Henry and sophomore Isiah Johnson at quarterback to lead an offense that averaged 320 yards and 25 points last fall. *** Over at Conner, the Cougars finished 7-5 (3-3 in the district) and lose 21 seniors from their 65-man roster. In the district, the Cougs split with Cooper, losing 43-7 before winning 14-3 in the first round of the playoffs. They also beat Highlands and Boone County while losing twice to CovCath. To say that this will be another closely contested district is to state the obvious. *** Now it’s up to Boone County and Bryson Warner’s rebuilding project to get things going again in Florence. From the Rebels’ 82-man roster, 20 seniors depart from a team that finished 4-6 (0-4 in the district) so there’s plenty of work to do at the program so impacted by programs at Boone County schools Ryle and Cooper.

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Class 6A at a Glance In the state’s top enrollment class where the big Northern Kentucky programs are matched up with the likes of Louisville Trinity, St. Xavier, and Male, who have won a combined total of 47 state championships for the largest schools, you would be correct to note that that has left no room for a local school. And you’d be right.

Northern Kentucky is zero for ever in the biggest school class in football. Will this be the breakthrough year? Probably not. But last season, Ryle had a shot after beating out Dixie Heights for the right to play a Trinity team not up to standard and still lost 38-18 to Trinity, who lost to Male, Covington Catholic prepares for a snap in a 2021 game 48-21 the next week – a Male team that lost 31-21 to St. X in the champi- *** Dixie Heights finished 7-5 (3-2 in the onship game. So there’s a way to go here. district) last season with a veteran ball club *** Start with Ryle again. The Raiders of Coach Mike Engler do it right, playing Lexington Catholic and St. X, CovCath and Highlands. They finished 9-4 (5-0 in the district) and despite losing 23 seniors from an 80-man roster, they return junior quarterback Logan Verax, a 6-3, 195-pound 15game career starter who threw for 2,395 yards and 18 TD as a sophomore and will be paired with a Mr. Football candidate, 6-foot, 175-pound speedster Kaden Gardner, a wide receiver/defensive back who is getting Division I interest. Then there’s 6-5, 320-pound O-lineman Drew Dickerson, a three-year starter with D-1 interest.

Leading the defense is strong safety Lukas Colemire (5-11, 185).

that had 21 of its 59-man roster seniors.

For Coach Patrick Burke, this will be something of a fresh start. He’ll have just “five or six” starters back – three on each side of the ball. On offense, “Caleb Hinkel, tough, hard-nosed, downhill runner, with great athleticism,” will lead the way, Burke says.

On defense, it’s “Brach Rice, a big physical, athletic player with a great motor and a nose for the football.” His team, Burke says, will be “disciplined and resilient.” *** At Simon Kenton, where the Pioneers lose just 13 seniors off a 59-man roster, Coach Roy Lucas greets nine returning starters on offense, seven on defense, from a 2-9 team last fall that scored a ton of points but couldn’t stop anybody. On offense, look for Chase Crone, a four-year

starter with college interest who will leave school with several records. On defense, it’s three-year starter Josh Bowling “with ability to play sideline to sideline.” Lucas says the Pioneers will be “fun and exciting to watch on both sides of the ball.” *** And finally, at Campbell County, Coach Brian Weinrich returns nine starters (five on offense, four on defense) from a 1-10 team that was outscored 376-175. But this team will “compete every day in everything we do and we will work to improve each and every day . . . brick by brick.” On offense, look for running back Ayden Bauwens – “very instinctive with the ball, great receiver out of the backfield, physical runner with great quickness – a hard worker.” On defense, look to outside linebacker Mitch McElroy – “experienced, explosive, leader, relentless, has a nose for the football.”

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